Safety device test system for a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle safety device test system includes a vehicle, a first safety device, an electronic controller, a breakout box, and a data acquisition system. The first safety device is disposed in the vehicle. The electronic controller is disposed in the vehicle. The electronic controller is electrically connected to the first safety device. The breakout box is disposed in the vehicle. The breakout box is electrically connected to the electronic controller. The data acquisition system is disposed in the vehicle. The data acquisition system is electrically connected to the breakout box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle safety device test system comprising:
 a vehicle;   a first safety device disposed in the vehicle;   an electronic controller disposed in the vehicle, the electronic controller being electrically connected to the first safety device;   a breakout box disposed in the vehicle, the breakout box being electrically connected to the electronic controller; and   a data acquisition system disposed in the vehicle, the data acquisition system being electrically connected to the breakout box.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the breakout box includes a first switch configured to be switchable between a first position and a second position to control operation of the first safety device during a safety device airbag test.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle air safety device bag test system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first switch being in the first position sets the safety device test to be a live safety device test.   
     
     
         4 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 3 , wherein
 when the first switch is set in the first position for the live safety device test, the electronic controller is configured to activate the first safety device when a first sensor disposed in the vehicle detects a value that is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first switch being in the second position sets the safety device test to be a remote safety device test.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 when the first switch is in the second position for the remote safety device test, the electronic controller is configured to deploy the first safety device when a first predetermined amount of time is exceeded.   
     
     
         7 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the predetermined amount of time is measured from a start of the remote safety device test.   
     
     
         8 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the predetermined amount of time is input to the data acquisition system.   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 a second safety device is disposed in the vehicle, the second safety device being electrically connected to the electronic controller; and   the breakout box includes a second switch configured to be switchable between a first position and a second position to control operation of the second safety device during an airbag test.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the second switch being in the first position sets the airbag test the live safety device test.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 10 , wherein
 when the second switch is set in the first position for the live safety device test, the electronic controller is configured to activate the second safety device when a second sensor disposed in the vehicle detects a value that is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the second switch being in the second position sets the safety device test the remote safety device test.   
     
     
         13 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 when the second switch is set in the second position for the remote safety device test, the electronic controller is configured to activate the second safety device when a second predetermined amount of time is exceeded.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 a first resistor is configured to prevent the first safety device from deploying during the remote safety device test.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the breakout box includes a resistor configured to monitor a current during the safety device test.   
     
     
         16 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the data acquisition system receives and stores the position of the first switch.   
     
     
         17 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the data acquisition system is configured to determine whether the first switch is in the first position or the second position.   
     
     
         18 . A vehicle safety device test system comprising:
 a vehicle;   a breakout box disposed in the vehicle;   an electronic controller disposed in the vehicle;   a vehicle wiring harness disposed in the vehicle;   an electrical connector connected to the vehicle wiring harness;   a first test assembly harness electrically connecting the breakout box and the electronic controller; and   a second test assembly harness electrically connecting the breakout box and the electrical connector.   
     
     
         19 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the vehicle wiring harness is electrically connected to a safety device and a sensor, the sensor being configured to detect a condition configured to activate the safety device.   
     
     
         20 . The vehicle safety device test system according to  claim 19 , wherein
 during a vehicle safety device test, an electrical signal is transmitted from the sensor to the electrical connector through the vehicle wiring harness, to the electronic controller through an electrical cable, to the breakout box through the first test assembly harness, to the electronic controller through the second test assembly harness, and to the safety device through the vehicle wiring harness, in that order.